New Hampshire rep accused of trying to lure teen resigns

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A New Hampshire state representative who has been charged with trying to lure a 14-year-old girl into a sexual encounter resigned Wednesday.

Republican Rep. Kyle Tasker's brief letter of resignation, dated Monday, was read before the full state House by a clerk on Wednesday, and accepted by House Speaker Shawn Jasper.

"Dear Speaker Jasper, I am writing to resign my seat as representative from Rockingham County, District 2," the letter read. "I appreciate all your courtesies during the time I served in the New Hampshire Legislature. Sincerely, Kyle Tasker."

The 30-year-old Tasker, of Nottingham, was arrested last week on three drug charges and one count of using a computer to lure the girl. Police said he tried to meet her, but instead was greeted by law enforcement.

Jasper and New Hampshire Republican Party Chairwoman Jennifer Horn had called on Tasker to resign.

Tasker was in his third, two-year term. He and his lawyer have not commented on the charges.

Tasker was released Monday on $50,000 bail and faces a hearing on March 21.

Police said their investigation began with a complaint from the teen's mother in January saying the girl met Tasker at a breakfast, friended him on Facebook and began receiving inappropriate messages from him.

The mother told police he had asked the girl how old she was. When she replied 14, he responded, "girls like you can get me in trouble," she said. She said he also said he could get alcohol or marijuana for the girl and proposed a three-way sexual encounter.

By the end of January, the girl and her mother agreed to the undercover operation and police took control of the girl's Facebook account.